AT A GLANCE: The Yankees will play Game 1 of the 2011 American League Division Series vs. the Detroit Tigers tonight at Yankee Stadium…are making their 16th postseason appearance in the last 17 seasons (also 1995-2007, ’09-10)…will be the Yankees’ 17th ALDS all-time, going 10-6 in the series (including a victorious 1981 appearance vs. the Milwaukee Brewers to determine the AL East Champion)…are 14-7 in 20 “best-of-five” postseason series since 1976.

SIX STRAIGHT: The Yankees have swept each of their last two ALDS matchups (both vs. Minnesota)…their current six-game winning streak in ALDS games is tied for the longest all time.

START ME UP: LHP CC Sabathia will make his eighth career Game 1 start (in all rounds) on Friday vs. Detroit, tying Whitey Ford and Roger Clemens (8 each) for the second-most Game 1 starts all time behind Greg Maddux (11)…his five career Game 1 wins are tied with John Smoltz and Red Ruffing for the most in postseason history…since joining the Yankees in 2009, has started Game 1 in each of the club’s five postseason series, going 3-1 with a 3.41 ERA (31.2IP, 12ER)…the five straight Game 1 starts is the longest such streak in club history.

Back in time

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.